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Select Board appoints two to Marina Advisory Committee after debate over commercial vs. recreational balance
Summary
After interviewing four candidates, the Select Board appointed Dave Ziemba and Dave Saitler to two open voting seats on the Marina Advisory Committee, with board members emphasizing the need to balance commercial fishing interests and recreational boating fees and to pursue grants for infrastructure work including the burned L Pier.
The Wellfleet Select Board interviewed four applicants for two open seats on the Marina Advisory Committee and ultimately appointed Dave Ziemba and Dave Saitler as voting members for three-year terms.
Applicants introduced themselves and outlined priorities including fee-structure updates, grant-seeking for pier and harbor improvements, and safety and operational upgrades. Dave Ziemba (commercial fisherman) said he wanted fair fee schedules and advocacy to secure grant funding; Dave Saitler (commercial shell fisherman and former Shellfish Advisory Board chair) emphasized safety and operational coordination between shellfish users and harbor management.
Board members discussed ensuring a balance between commercial and recreational users, noting the marina’s revenue is primarily supported by recreational slip fees but that grant opportunities and grant-based capital projects often favor commercial fishing and mariculture elements. One board member said the harbor is “short a few hundred thousand dollars a year” and urged creative revenue and grant strategies; another noted that a proportionate representation (roughly three commercial/charter-related seats out of seven on the advisory body) had worked historically.
The board made and recorded motions to appoint the two candidates; the first appointment vote was close (recorded as 3–2 on the first motion) and the second appointment passed 5–0 as recorded. New appointees will be sworn in by the town clerk before voting.
What’s next: Both appointees will be sworn in and join the Marina Advisory Committee; the board and applicants signaled priorities such as fee schedule review, grant-seeking for L Pier repair, and exploring infrastructure improvements that separate commercial unloading operations from recreational launch activity.
